Low profile NIC jumper solution using ZIF connector

ABSTRACT

A connection technique for switchably and mutually exclusively coupling a plurality of device sets. The connection technique utilizes a low profile connector having multiple circuit sets, each of which is configured for mutually exclusive and removable insertion into a receptacle coupled to multiple devices. Each one of the multiple circuit sets, which is inserted into the receptacle, couples a desired set of the plurality of device sets.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present technique relates generally to electrical connectionsystems and, more particularly, to electrical connection systems forcomputing devices. The present technique provides a system and methodfor switching connections between a plurality of device sets byutilizing a multi-directional connector and a switchable multi-circuitboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This section is intended to introduce the reader to variousaspects of art, which may be related to various aspects of the presentinvention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion isbelieved to be helpful in providing the reader with backgroundinformation to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspectsof the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood thatthese statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions ofprior art.

[0003] A variety of electrical connection systems are currently used incomputer systems and various other electronic and computing devices.Electrical connections are typically formed with male and femaleelectrical connectors, such as a male plug disposed on an electricalcable and a female receptacle disposed on a component (e.g., a port on acomputer system). For example, a computer system may have a networkport, a power port, an audio port, a video port, a parallel port, aserial port, a USB port, a midi/game port, a wireless communication port(e.g., an IRDA port, an optical port, a radio frequency port, a bluetooth technology port, etc.) and various other ports for communicatingwith external devices. In the typical connector configuration, the maleand female connectors are communicatively coupled in a single specificconnection. Moreover, a port or connector is typically configured tocommunicate with a single device (e.g., an Input/Output device), such aswith communication between a computer system and a peripheral device.This conventional connection system does not allow switching between aplurality of devices, such as a modem and a network card, withoutunplugging one device and plugging in the other device.

[0004] On circuit boards, such as computer motherboards, electricalconnections may be formed by male/female connector assemblies andjumpers. For example, the circuit board may include a male connectorassembly having a plurality of electrical posts protruding from thecircuit board. A female connector assembly may then be inserted over theelectrical posts to couple the circuit board to a desired device. Incomputer systems, jumpers are often used to couple pairs of protrudingposts to obtain a desired electrical configuration for the computersystem. For example, several pairs of jumpers may be used to coupleadjacent male pins on the circuit board to configure the computer systemfor the desired computing components. Unfortunately, this jumpertechnique consumes considerable space and is generally only useful forcoupling adjacent electrical posts.

[0005] In compact electronic devices, such as portable computer systems,the various components and electronics must be configured to consume aminimal amount of space to enable a thinner and more compact design forthe overall computing device. The relatively thin profile of circuitboards allows designers to reduce space consumption of the computingstructure, yet the various components disposed in the computingstructure still consume a considerable amount of space. Accordingly,various computing components are integrated in the computing device(e.g., onto the motherboard) to reduce the overall size of the computingstructure. For example, network circuitry and other communicationcircuitry may be integrated with the circuit board and the processor toreduce the overall size of the computing structure. Various othercomponents, such as sound and video circuitry, also may be integratedwith the circuit board and processor. However, it is still desirable toprovide electrical ports and circuitry to communicate with otherinternal and external computing components, such as a mini-PCI networkcard.

[0006] Accordingly, a versatile electrical connection technique isneeded to provide a switchable set of electrical connections betweenvarious internal and peripheral devices. There is also a need for arelatively low profile electrical connection system to reduce spaceconsumption of the circuitry and the connection system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Certain aspects commensurate in scope with the originally claimedinvention are set forth below. It should be understood that theseaspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summaryof certain forms the invention might take and that these aspects are notintended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the invention mayencompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.

[0008] The present technique provides a system and method for switchablyand mutually exclusively coupling a plurality of devices sets. Theconnection technique utilizes a low profile connector having multiplecircuit sets, which are configured for mutually exclusive and removableinsertion into a receptacle coupled to multiple devices. Each one of themultiple circuit sets, which is inserted into the receptacle, switchablycouples a desired set of the plurality of device sets.

[0009] An aspect of the present technique provides an electricalconnector for switchably coupling multiple devices. The electricalconnector includes a switchable connector having a plurality ofconductor sets configured for switchable coupling with a communicationreceptacle for a plurality of devices, wherein each set of the pluralityof conductor sets provides a connection between a desired device set ofthe plurality of devices.

[0010] Another aspect of the present technique provides a system forswitchably coupling desired sets of electronics. The system includes areceptacle communicatively coupled to a plurality of electronics and amulti-circuit connector panel. The multi-circuit connector panel has afirst circuit insertable into the receptacle to communicatively couple afirst set of the plurality of electronics. The multi-circuit connectorpanel also has a second circuit switchable with the first circuit andinsertable into the receptacle to communicatively couple a second set ofthe plurality of electronics.

[0011] Another aspect of the present technique provides a computingdevice having circuitry for switchably communicating with multiplecomponents. The computing device includes a computing device and adevice connection assembly disposed in the computing device. The deviceconnection assembly includes a receptacle communicatively coupled to aplurality of components for the computing device. The device connectionassembly also has a connector panel comprising multiple conductor setschangeably coupleable with the receptacle to communicatively couple adesired set of the plurality of components.

[0012] Another aspect of the present technique provides a method forchangeably connecting electronic devices. The method includes the act ofcommunicatively coupling a plurality of electronic devices to aconnector assembly. The method also includes changeably coupling adesired circuit of a multi-circuit panel to the connector assemblycommunicatively coupled to a desired device set of the plurality ofelectronic devices.

[0013] Another aspect of the present technique provides a method offorming a low profile switchable device connector. The method includesthe act of forming a plurality of circuits sets on a panel, each circuitset having a plurality of conductors with opposite ends terminating on adesired edge portion of the panel. The method also includes positioningthe plurality of circuit sets on multiple side portions of the panel forremovable coupling with a multi-device connector assembly for switchablyand mutually exclusively coupling a plurality of desired device setsfrom a plurality of devices communicatively coupled to the multi-deviceconnector assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Exemplary embodiments will hereafter be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denotelike elements, and:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary electrical connection systemhaving a multi-directional connector and a switchable multi-circuitboard that is insertable into the multi-directional connector;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary computing system utilizing themulti-directional connector and the switchable multi-circuit board tofacilitate electrical switching between two components and a port forexternal devices;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary computing devicehaving the multi-directional connector and the switchable multi-circuitboard disposed in a recess below a removable keyboard;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the multi-directional connectorand the switchable multi-circuit board having a plurality of circuitsets, with one circuit set aligned with a portion of electricalconnectors in the multi-directional connector; and

[0019]FIG. 5 is an alternate embodiment of the switchable multi-circuitboard having a plurality of circuit sets disposed on opposite sides of acircuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0020] One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed below. In an effort to provide a concise description of theseembodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are describedin the specification. It should be appreciated that in the developmentof any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or designproject, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made toachieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance withsystem-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from oneimplementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that sucha development effort might be complex and time consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, andmanufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

[0021] The present technique is directed toward a system and method forversatile and compact electrical connections for electrical devices,ports and various other computing components. The present technique maybe utilized in a variety of electrical systems, electronics, computersystems and components to facilitate manual switching between aplurality of devices, ports or components. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3,the electrical connection system of the present technique may beutilized in a relatively confined space. Certain aspects of the presenttechnique have been incorporated into an electrical connection system10, a computing system 12 and a compact computing device 14,respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the electrical connection system10 includes a plurality of devices connected by cables, amulti-directional connector 16 and a switchable multi-circuit board 18.

[0022] The multi-directional connector 16 is communicatively coupled todevices 20, 22, and 24 via cables 26, 28, and 30, respectively. Thedevices 20, 22, and 24 may comprise a computing component, a port, or avariety of other electronics or devices. The cables 26, 28, and 30 mayinclude a standard parallel cable, a serial cable, a communicationcable, a flexible printed circuit, or a variety of other electricalconnection assemblies having one or more electrical paths between thedevices 20, 22, and 24 and the multi-directional connector 16. Moreover,the cables 26, 28 and 30 may have opposite communication paths (e.g.,input or output) between the devices 20, 22, and 24 and themulti-directional connector 16. For example, the devices 20 and 24 maycomprise two sorts of computing devices, such as a network device and amemory device, while the device 22 may embody a port for externalcommunication with other devices. Thus, the multi-directional connector16 may have cables coming from various input and output devices andports.

[0023] The switchable multi-circuit board 18 is removably insertableinto a receptacle of the multi-directional connector 16 to facilitate aplurality of electrical connections between the devices 20, 22, and 24and the corresponding cables 26, 28, and 30. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 1, the switchable multi-circuit board 18 has circuit sets 32 and34 disposed on opposite sides of the switchable multi-circuit board 18.The switchable multi-circuit board 18 and the circuit set 32 may beremoved from the receptacle of the multi-directional connector 16 androtated for insertion of the circuit set 34 into the receptacle of themulti-directional connector 16. Accordingly, the electrical connectionsbetween the devices 20, 22 and 24 and the cables 26, 28, and 30 may bechanged by removing, rotating, and re-inserting the switchablemulti-circuit board 18 and the corresponding circuit set (e.g., circuitsets 32 and 34) into the receptacle of the multi-directional connector16.

[0024] Depending on the desired application, the multi-directionalconnector 16 may have a variety of electrical connection assembliesdisposed within the receptacle. The thickness of the multi-directionalconnector 16 also may be altered for the particular application.Moreover, the switchable multi-circuit board 18 may have a variety ofprofiles and thicknesses depending on the particular application. Forexample, the multi-directional connector 16 may embody a zero insertionforce (“ZIF”) connector, while the switchable circuit board 18 mayembody a flexible printed circuit (“FPC”). The ZIF connector and theflexible printed circuit consume a minimal amount of space for thisversatile electrical connection system. However, a variety of otherrigid, flexible, compact and other desirable configurations may be usedwithin the scope of the present technique.

[0025] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of conductors are disposedwithin the cables 26-30 and on the switchable circuit board 18. Forexample, the cables 26, 28 and 30 have conductors 36-42, 44-50 and52-58, respectively. The circuit sets 32 and 34 also have a plurality ofconductors disposed on surfaces of the switchable multi-circuit board18. For example, the circuit set 32 has conductors 60, 62, 64 and 66,while the circuit set 34 has conductors 68, 70, 72 and 74. Accordingly,as illustrated in FIG. 1, the circuit set 32 is disposed in themulti-directional connector 16 to provide an electrical connectionbetween conductors 36-42 of cable 26 and conductors 44-50 of cable 28via the conductors 60-66 of the circuit set 32. If an electricalconnection is desired between the devices 22 and 24, the switchablemulti-circuit board 18 may be removed, rotated, and re-inserted with thecircuit set 34 being disposed in the multi-directional connector 16. Inthis electrical configuration, the conductors 68-74 of the circuit set34 provide an electrical connection between the conductors 44-50 of thecable 28 and conductors 52-58 of the cable 30. The present techniquethereby allows a plurality of electrical connections between the devices20, 22, and 24 and the corresponding cables 26, 28, and 30 via themultiple circuit sets 32 and 34.

[0026] As noted above, the multi-directional connector 16 and theswitchable multi-circuit board 18 may be utilized in a variety ofelectronics, such as the computing system 12 illustrated in FIG. 2. Asillustrated, the multi-directional connector 16 and the switchablemulti-circuit board 18 are disposed in a computing device 76 having aplurality of computing components, such as computing components 78, 80,82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, and 96, which are disposed in the housing98. The computing device 76 also may have a plurality of ports forexternal devices. For example, ports 100, 102, and 104 are provided onthe computing device 76 for external communication and data exchangewith devices, such as a display 106, a network 108, and an input device110. The computing components 78-96 may include a variety of circuitryand processing components, such as a processor, RAM memory, a harddrive, a disk drive, a CD ROM drive, a DVD ROM drive, a tape drive, acommunication device (e.g., a modem, a network card, a wirelesscommunication device, blue tooth technology, etc.), a sound card, avideo card, and various other computing circuitry. Also, the ports 100,102, and 104 may comprise a variety of technologies, such as a parallelport, a serial port, a USB port, a PS/2 port, a wireless communicationport, an audio or video port, a power port, and various othercommunication and data exchange ports. Accordingly, as discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 1, the multi-directional connector 16 and theswitchable multi-circuit board 18 may be utilized in the computingdevice 76 to provide a plurality of switchable connections between thecomputing components 78-96, the ports 100-104 and the correspondingexternal devices and networks.

[0027] As illustrated, the multi-directional connector 16 iselectrically coupled to computing components 78 and 96 and to the port102 for the network 108. The switchable multi-circuit board 18 has thecircuit set 32 disposed in the multi-directional connector 16 such thatthe computing component 78 is communicatively coupled to the port 102and corresponding network 108. However, as discussed above, theswitchable multi-circuit board 18 may be removed from themulti-directional connector 16, rotated, and re-inserted into themulti-directional connector 16 with the circuit set 34 electricallycoupling the computing component 96 to the port 102 and correspondingnetwork 108. For example, the computing component 78 may be anintegrated network card on a motherboard of the computing device 76,while the computing component 96 may be a removable network card (e.g.,a PCMCIA or mini PCI network card). Thus, the present techniquefacilitates versatile electrical coupling between internal and externalcomponents of the computing system 12.

[0028] The multi-directional connector 16 and the switchablemulti-circuit board 18 also can be disposed in compact computing devicesand portable electronics, such as the compact computing device 14illustrated in FIG. 3. As illustrated, the compact computing device 14has a panel display 112 rotatably coupled to a housing 114 via a hingeassembly 116 disposed between the panel display 112 and the housing 114.The panel display 112 has a display screen 118, which may be a liquidcrystal display or any other suitable low profile display. The housing114 has a plurality of computing components and user interactiondevices, such as a keyboard 120 and a coordination device 122. Asillustrated, the keyboard 120 may be removable from a recess 124disposed in a top surface 126 of the housing 114. The coordinationdevice 122 may include a variety of buttons and user input devices, suchas buttons 128 and 130 and a touch pad 132. It should also be noted thatthe keyboard 120 may incorporate the coordination device 122 and alsomay have a wireless communication assembly for wireless communicationwith the compact computing device 14. The housing 114 also may includevarious computing components and ports, similar to those illustrated inthe computing system 12 of FIG. 2.

[0029] For example, the housing 114 may have bays 134 and 136 forfixedly or removably accepting computing devices 138 and 140,respectively. The housing 114 also may have ports, such as ports 142,144 and 146, for communication and data exchange with a variety ofexternal devices and networks. As illustrated, the compact computingdevice 114 also may have one or more compact bays, such as PCMCIA slots,for housing a relatively low profile external device. For example, slots148 and 150 are disposed in a side of the housing 114 adjacent the ports142146.

[0030] With the keyboard 120 removed from the housing 114, asillustrated in FIG. 3, a variety of circuitry is exposed to a user inthe recess 124. For example, exposed circuitry 152 is accessible in therecess 124 to facilitate user interaction and configuration of internalcomponents of the compact computing device 14. As illustrated, theexposed circuitry 152 includes the multi-directional connector 16, theswitchable multi-circuit board 18, electrical cables 154, 156, and 158and computing components 160 and 162. As discussed above with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2, the switchable multi-circuit board 18 may be removedfrom the multi-directional connector 16, rotated, and then reinsertedinto the multi-directional connector 16 to switch the desired circuitset of the circuit sets 32 and 34 and to connect the desired sets ofelectrical cables 154, 156, and 158. As illustrated, the circuit set 32is coupled to the multi-directional connector 16 such that themulti-directional connector 16 electrically couples the computingcomponent 162 to the port 146 via the electrical cables 154 and 158. Ifthe switchable multi-circuit board 18 is removed, rotated and reinsertedinto the multi-directional connector 16, the circuit set 34 provides anelectrical coupling between the computing component 160 and the port 146via the electrical cables 154 and 156.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the computing component162 is an integral component of the compact computing device 114. Forexample, the computing component may be an integral communication deviceor network card. In contrast, the computing component 160 is a removablecomputing component, such as a mini PCI network card or other PCMCIAcard. Accordingly, the computing component 160 may be removably insertedinto one of the slots 148 and 150 for utilization and interaction withthe compact computing device 14 after performing the appropriate switchwith the multi-directional connector 16 and the switchable multi-circuitboard 18. It should also be noted that the electrical cables 154, 156,and 158 and the switchable multi-circuit board 18 may embody flexibleprinted circuits or other low profile circuitry to reduce spaceconsumption in the compact computing device 14. As noted above, themulti-directional connector 16 may be a relatively low profileconnector, such as a zero insertion force (ZIF) connector, adapted forthe low profile or flexible circuitry of the switchable multi-circuitboard 18 and the electrical cables 154-158. Accordingly, the presenttechnique facilitates maximum flexibility and integration of the variouscomputing components of the electrical connection system 10, thecomputing system 12, and the compact computing device 14 by using a lowprofile switchable connection system having multiple circuit sets.

[0032] A perspective view of the multi-directional connector 16 and theswitchable multi-circuit board 18 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Asillustrated, the multi-directional connector 16 has a plurality ofelectrical connectors, such as electrical connectors 164-186, extendingthrough a top portion of the multi-directional connector 16. Theswitchable multi-circuit board 18 has the circuit sets 32 and 34disposed on a top surface 188. The switchable multi-circuit board 18 isinsertable into a receptacle 190 of the multi-directional connector 16adjacent the electrical connectors 164-186, such that the circuit sets32 or 34 provide electrical contact between the desired electricalconnectors 164-186.

[0033] It should also be noted that the multi-directional connector 16may have any suitable connection mechanism for the electrical connectors164-186 and the receptacle 190. For example, the electrical connectors164-186 may be disposed in a bottom portion having the receptacle 190above the electrical connectors 164-186. The electrical connectors164-186 and the receptacle 190 also may be configured to receive pinsextending from the corresponding circuit sets 32 and 34 of theswitchable multi-circuit board 18. Thus, any suitable male and femaleconnection mechanism may be utilized for the multi-directional connector16 and the switchable multi-circuit board 18 within the scope of thepresent technique. The multi-directional connector 16 also may becoupled to any number of electronics, computing components, ports, ordesired devices for the particular application. For example, themulti-directional connector 16 may be coupled to two or more computingdevices, two or more ports, and any other desired devices. Theswitchable multi-circuit board 18 also may have a number of circuit setsin addition to the circuit sets 32 and 34 illustrated on the switchablemulti-circuit board 18 in FIGS. 1-4.

[0034] An alternate embodiment of the switchable multi-circuit board 18is illustrated in FIG. 5. As illustrated, the switchable multi-circuitboard 18 has circuit sets 32 and 34 disposed on the surface 188. Theboard 18 also has a circuit set 190 disposed on the surface 188 andcircuit sets 192 and 194 disposed on an opposite surface 196 from thesurface 188. Accordingly, the switchable multi-circuit board 18 mayprovide a variety of circuit connections on various portions of bothsides 188 and 190 to facilitate versatile switching between a pluralityof components, circuitry, and ports. It should also be noted that theswitchable multi-circuit board 18 may have any suitable geometry for thedesired application and to accommodate the desired number of circuitsets on the surfaces 188 and 190. As discussed above, the switchablemulti-circuit board 18 may be a standard circuit board or it may be aflexible circuit, such as a flexible printed circuit. Thus, the presenttechnique facilitates multiple switchable connections in a relativelylow profile connector assembly, which may be used in compact electronicsand computing devices.

[0035] While the invention may be susceptible to various modificationsand alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However,it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limitedto the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical connector for switchably couplingmultiple devices, comprising: a switchable connector having a pluralityof conductor sets configured for switchable coupling with acommunication receptacle for a plurality of devices, wherein each set ofthe plurality of conductor sets provides a connection between a desireddevice set of the plurality of devices.
 2. The electrical connector ofclaim 1, wherein the switchable connector comprises a circuit board. 3.The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein the circuit board comprisesa flexible circuit board.
 4. The electrical connector of claim 2,wherein the plurality of conductor sets are disposed on multiple edgesof the circuit board.
 5. The electrical connector of claim 2, whereinthe plurality of conductor sets are disposed on multiple sides of thecircuit board.
 6. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein each setof the plurality of conductor sets has a plurality of connector contactspairs coupled by one conductor.
 7. The electrical connector of claim 6,wherein the connector contact pair has first and second connectorcontacts aligned for coupling first and second devices, respectively, ofthe desired device set via the communication receptacle.
 8. Theelectrical connector of claim 6, wherein each set has the one conductordisposed on a side of the circuit board in a substantially U-shapedconfiguration and has the contact pairs disposed along an edge of thecircuit board.
 9. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein theplurality of devices comprises communication ports.
 10. A system forswitchably coupling desired sets of electronics, comprising: areceptacle communicatively coupled to a plurality of electronics; and amulti-circuit connector panel, comprising: a first circuit insertableinto the receptacle for communicatively coupling a first set of theplurality of electronics; and a second circuit switchable with the firstcircuit and insertable into the receptacle for communicatively couplinga second set of the plurality of electronics.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein the receptacle comprises a female electrical connectorstructure having electrical contacts for each of the plurality ofelectronics, the electrical contacts being disposed adjacent oneanother.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the receptacle has a lowprofile configured for compact computing devices.
 13. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the receptacle comprises a zero insertion forceconnector.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality ofelectronics comprises components for a computing device.
 15. The systemof claim 10, wherein the plurality of electronics comprises acommunication port.
 16. The system of claim 10, wherein the receptacleand the multi-circuit connector panel are disposed in an electronicdevice.
 17. The system of claim 10, wherein the multi-circuit connectorpanel comprises a circuit board.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein thecircuit board comprises a flexible circuit board.
 19. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the first and second circuits each comprise aplurality of connector contacts pairs, each of which are coupled by aconductor.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein each one of the pluralityof connector contact pairs has first and second connector contactsaligned for coupling first and second electronics, respectively, of adesired set of the plurality of electronics via the receptacle.
 21. Acomputing device having circuitry for switchably communicating withmultiple components, comprising a computing device; and a deviceconnection assembly disposed in the computing device, comprising: areceptacle communicatively coupled to a plurality of components for thecomputing device; and a connector panel comprising multiple conductorsets changeably coupleable with the receptacle for communicativelycoupling a desired set of the plurality of components.
 22. The computingdevice of claim 21, wherein the computing device comprises a portablecomputer.
 23. The computing device of claim 21, wherein the deviceconnection assembly is disposed under a panel removably disposed on thecomputing device.
 24. The computing device of claim 23, wherein thepanel comprises a removable user input device for the computing device.25. The computing device of claim 21, wherein the receptacle comprises alow profile female connector configured to receive a desired one of aplurality of male connector portions of the connector panel, whereineach of the plurality of male connector portions has at least one of themultiple conductor sets.
 26. The computing device of claim 21, whereinthe receptacle comprises a zero insertion force connector.
 27. Thecomputing device of claim 21, wherein the plurality of componentscomprises a communication port.
 28. The computing device of claim 21,wherein the plurality of components comprises a network device.
 29. Thecomputing device of claim 21, wherein the plurality of componentscomprises removable and integrated computing components.
 30. Thecomputing device of claim 21, wherein the connector panel comprises acircuit board.
 31. The computing device of claim 30, wherein the circuitboard comprises a flexible circuit board.
 32. The computing device ofclaim 21, wherein each of the multiple conductor sets comprises aplurality of connector contacts pairs, each of which are coupled by aconductor.
 33. A method for changeably connecting electronic devices,comprising the acts of: communicatively coupling a plurality ofelectronic devices to a connector assembly; and changeably coupling adesired circuit of a multi-circuit panel to the connector assembly forcommunicatively coupling a desired device set of the plurality ofelectronic devices.
 34. The method of claim 33, comprising the act ofdisposing the connector assembly in a computing device.
 35. The methodof claim 33, wherein the act of communicatively coupling the pluralityof electronic devices comprises the act of: communicatively coupling adevice bay to the connector assembly.
 36. The method of claim 33,wherein the act of communicatively coupling the plurality of electronicdevices comprises the act of communicatively coupling a communicationport to the connector assembly.
 37. The method of claim 33, wherein theact of communicatively coupling the plurality of electronic devicescomprises the act of: sharing the communication port between at leasttwo devices of the plurality of electronic devices by changeablycoupling the desired circuit to the connector assembly.
 38. The methodof claim 33, wherein the act of changeably coupling the desired circuitcomprises the act of: inserting an edge of the multi-circuit panel intoa receptacle of the connector assembly.
 39. The method of claim 33,wherein the act of changeably coupling the desired circuit comprises theact of: aligning opposite ends of a plurality of conductors of thedesired circuit with first and second connectors of the connectorassembly for communicatively coupling first and second devices of thedesired device set.
 40. The method of claim 33, wherein the act ofchangeably coupling the desired circuit comprises the act of: removablyinserting a flexible circuit board into a female electrical receptacleof the connector assembly for switchably coupling the desired device setvia the desired circuit from a plurality of circuit sets disposed on theflexible circuit board and configured to provide a plurality of distinctdevice connection configurations.
 41. The method of claim 33, comprisingthe acts of: uncoupling the desired circuit from the connector assembly;orienting a new desired circuit of the multi-circuit panel in alignmentwith the connector assembly; and coupling the new desired circuit withthe connector assembly for communicatively coupling a new desired deviceset of the plurality of electronic devices.
 42. The method of claim 33,comprising the act of: switching connections between integrated andremovable devices of the plurality of electronic devices.
 43. A methodof forming a low profile switchable device connector, comprising:forming a plurality of circuits sets on a panel, each circuit set havinga plurality of conductors with opposite ends terminating on a desirededge portion of the panel; and positioning the plurality of circuit setson multiple side portions of the panel for removable coupling with amulti-device connector assembly for switchably and mutually exclusivelycoupling a plurality of desired device sets from a plurality of devices,which are communicatively coupled to the multi-device connectorassembly.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the panel comprises alow-profile circuit board.
 45. The method of claim 43, wherein thelow-profile circuit board comprises a flexible circuit board.
 46. Themethod of claim 43, wherein the multiple side portions comprise oppositesurfaces of the panel.
 47. The method of claim 43, wherein the multipleside portions comprise at least two independent edges and adjacentsurface portions of the panel.
 48. The method of claim 43, wherein theact of positioning the plurality of circuit sets on multiple sideportions comprises the acts of: positioning the plurality of conductorsadjacent one another; and aligning the opposite ends in parallel alongthe desired edge portion, each of the circuit sets having an independentone of the desired edge portion for mutually exclusive coupling with themulti-device connector assembly.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein theact of positioning the plurality of conductors comprises the act of:orienting each one of the plurality of conductors in a U-shaped pattern.